New Zealand Red Cross launched an online cause at Givealittle.co.nz in response to the tsunami in Samoa and American Samoa this morning. Within two minutes online donations started coming in from around the world fuelled mainly by the efforts of social media …News Release
For Immediate Release – 30 September 2009

Online tsunami donations get early boost in social media

New Zealand Red Cross launched an online cause at Givealittle.co.nz in response to the tsunami in Samoa and American Samoa this morning. Within two minutes online donations started coming in from around the world fuelled mainly by the efforts of social media users in Twitter.

The topics of “tsunami” and “Samoa” have trended to the top 10 in Twitter, prompting online media to pick up the links directing concerned readers to the New Zealand Red Cross Samoa Tsunami Relief cause. Reports of the death and devastation caused by the tsunami had been difficult confirm earlier today, however this has not deterred people from responding quickly with over $4500 raised earlier this afternoon.

“As soon as NZ Red Cross loaded the cause page, we updated our blog, Facebook page and then tweeted a link to the cause. The first donation was made almost instantly and donations have steadily continued throughout the day. These simple actions have resulted in an overwhelming sense of urgency within the social networks”, said Givealittle.co.nz CEO Nathalie Hofsteede.

Givealittle.co.nz is an advocate for using social media and online tools to connect people with causes.

“We are now seeing what we call online volunteers placing donation widgets into their own websites and blogs to prompt direct donations to the Red Cross relief response. Doing something like this is a great way for everyday people to do their bit in a time of disaster” comments Givealittle’s marketing manager Lee Hales.